Speaking as Ministers began talks at the high-level segment of the UN Climate negotiation in Cancún today,  GUE/NGL MEP Bairbre de Brún said:

"While it is positive that the UN talks in Cancún have begun in a more positive and constructive manner than last year in Copenhagen, COP 16 will be judged on whether or not there are concrete decisions that deliver for the world's poor. 

"Japan, Russia and Canada have said they will not join a second commitment period of the Kyoto protocol, and the US, which has already opted out of the Kyoto protocol, is seeking very weak language in any text that would bind them to take action in the time ahead. Industrialised countries need to come forward with more ambitious emissions reduction targets as the gap is too great between the actions pledged and what science tells us is needed.

"On another key issue, there must be no more delay in releasing the fast-start financing pledged last year in Copenhagen, and we need to see a new finance mechanism established under the authority of the UNFCC.

"Outside the conference venue today we saw clear signals that ordinary people are seized by the importance of taking action.  A meeting with local NGOs engaged in REDD+ projects safeguarding local forests in this region allowed the European Parliament delegation to see the depth of how increasing deforestation can be avoided through an approach based on community management of the forests".

Speaking as she took part in a colourful demonstration in the centre of Cancún today, GUE/NGL Marisa Matias MEP said:

"The demonstration in the centre of Cancún, composed mainly of families and  indigenous representatives, put forward a claim for a clear right in controlling land use and related government investments. The other demonstration was directed towards the conference centre but was stopped some kilometres away from the venue by the federal police, where Friends of Earth and other NGOs expressed their concerns on the need for effective steps in a COP 16 whose results are still uncertain."

GUE/NGL PRESS CONTACTS:
Gianfranco Battistini + 32 475 64 66 28
Gay Kavanagh +32 473 84 23 20
David Lundy + 32 485 50 58 12
www.guengl.eu
Gauche Unitaire Européenne/Nordic Green Left
European Parliamentary Group